AMC Chapter 9.04

  1. 1 Properties bigger than 1 Acre
  2. 2 Properties Smaller than 1 Acre
  3. 3 Weed Clearance 2
  4. 4 Weed Clearance 3
  5. 5 Weed Clearance
  6. 6 Dont wait Abate

The purpose of AMC Chapter 9.04 is to reduce the risk of damage to property and persons by fire due to weeds and prohibited flammable plants, and to reduce hazards to public health, agriculture, recreation, and wildlife by controlling the growth of weeds and noxious vegetation.

This Ordinance Requires

  • The mowing or cutting of weeds and grass to a maximum height of 4 inches maintained throughout fire season each year, or at any other time of the year when deemed a fire, health, or traffic hazard (AMC9.04.020).
  • No species identified on the Prohibited Flammable Plants List is to be newly planted on your property within 30 feet of a structure and requires the cutting down and/or removal of any new seedlings and volunteer plants of listed prohibited flammable plants as often as needed to prevent them from posing an increased fire hazard (AMC9.04.022).
  • The cutting down, destruction, and/or removal of noxious vegetation as often as needed to prevent it from becoming a fire, health, or traffic hazard, from becoming unsightly, or maturing, spreading, and going to seed (AMC9.04.024). Targeted species include, but are not limited to: 
    • Himalayan blackberry
    • Scotch Broom
    • Poison hemlock
    • Bull thistle
    • Star thistle
    • Tree of heaven

Minimum Requirements

To keep a property in compliance with AMC 9.04 and avoid possible legal action, Ashland Fire and Rescue is enforcing the following minimum requirements:

Property Owners or Renter of Property One Acre or smaller

Property Owners or Renters of Property One Acre or smaller in size are required establish a 3-foot clearance radius around any fire hydrant on the property or in the adjacent right-of-way. Cut and maintain all weeds and grass to no more than 4 inches in height on the entire property and on:

  •  abutting park rows
  • sidewalks
  • alleys 
  • Other rights-of-way abutting the property

Property owners or Renter of property Greater than One Acre

Property Owners or Renters of Property Greater than One Acre in size are required to cut and maintain weeds and grass to no more than 4 inches in height on the entire property with the following minimum requirements:

  • Create a fire break within 30 feet of any structures, including any neighbor's structure(s).
  • Create a 15-foot-wide fire break along the property line around the entire lot.
  • Create a 15-foot-wide fire break along each side of access roads and driveways on, or leading to, the property.
  • Abate abutting park rows, sidewalks, alleys, and other rights-of-way abutting the property.
  • Establish a 3-foot clearance radius around any fire hydrant(s) on the property, or in the adjacent rights-of-way.

Please Note

If a required area to abate is within a riparian zone or wetland:

  • Refer to the City of Ashland's Planning Department for further information regarding requirements and restrictions for working within riparian zones (AMC18.3.11.020)

The minimum abatement on property of any size shall include:

  • the cutting and/or removal of all Scotch Broom and thistles on the entire property
  • Any Himalayan blackberry bushes, Poison hemlock, and/or Tree of Heaven within the required areas to abate.
  • Debris (including tree litter) shall comply with AMC9.08.110 or be removed